When thoughts of the holiday season arise, joy and happiness are common emotions that flood the mind. However, this isn’t the case for everyone; festivities can bring up a variety of complex issues. If hosting, gift giving, financial spending, family dynamics, and other challenges start to creep up and feel overwhelming, it’s important to take time for yourself.
Here are some tips to stay merry, motivated and mindful throughout the festivities.
Set Boundaries
Sleigh your holiday productivity by setting clear boundaries. Check in with family and friends and ask for their availability before things become too crazy and booked with overlapping commitments. By adding events to your calendar early on in the season, you will reduce stress (no calendar cramming here.)
Don’t RSVP “yes” to every event you get invited to. Know your limits, and stick to them. Holiday parties should lift your spirits, not dampen them, so make sure you don’t overbook yourself.
Manage Spending
Gift giving and holiday spending can become out of control – quickly. It’s one thing to pamper and dote on your loved ones, but an entirely different ball game to rack up debt purchasing expensive presents. Last year alone, almost 40 percent of Americans spent more than they could afford.
While in the moment, gifting luxurious items may leave you feeling a large sense of gratitude, but post-holiday blues and spending remorse can easily set in. It’s important to be intentional with your purchases so you aren’t left struggling with hefty bills months later. Quality time with those close to you is far more important than the quantity of material gifts, so place emphasis on this before swiping your card.
Get Moving
If you are discombobulated by your holiday to-do list, set aside time each day to be physically active. Join a group dance class, get a kickboxing membership, or simply go for a walk. Get your mind off the presents you need to wrap, the food you need to make, and décor you need to arrange.
Focus on physically centering yourself and decluttering your mind. Aim to break a sweat at least three times a week; you’ll be amazed at how much easier it will feel to tackle the tasks you’ve been having a difficult time accomplishing.
Listen to Music and Podcasts
Sometimes all you need to restore productivity is to listen to holiday classics and the wise words of others. It’s completely normal to get down on yourself and feel overwhelmed; seek out music and podcasts that you resonate with. Soak in your podcast selection while enjoying an epsom salt bath for an extra level of relaxation.
When you take a step back from your own thoughts and heed the advice of someone else, it can be refreshing and calming. Use this newfound energy to help carry out holiday tasks with ease.
Detox From Social Media
Social media can have extremely detrimental effects on your mental wellbeing. It can invoke feelings of self-doubt, toxicity, disconnect and a slew of other less than desirable outcomes. Although Instagram and Tik Tok are highlight reels, it’s easy to lose sight of this when scrolling. If you find yourself stuck in a negative social media headspace and struggle with feelings of comparison and inadequacy, it’s important to break this cycle and be proactive.
Try to detox from social media and even consider finding professional help like online therapy to prevent the pattern from continuing. Disliking your appearance in photos posted from a holiday party, seeing an ex get engaged on Christmas, feeling as if your life isn’t as glamorous as those around you; it can all start to become extremely draining. Implementing coping mechanisms – like setting screen time limits or deleting apps altogether – can work wonders on your mood and self esteem.
Now is the time to jingle all the way into a festive, healthy season; use these tools and resources to help banish stress and combat anxiety.
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